RTI activist raises voice against insulting of national emblem

Times of India: Belagavi: Tuesday, 17 November 2015. 

Prashant Burge, an RTI activist who recently received cash award from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for exposing a toll agency overcharging the vehicles, has now raised the voice against insulting of state emblem of India by its improper use.

We see the state emblem of India on various constructions built by different government agencies. With the passing years and decades, statues of emblems installed on different constructions turned shoddy, cracked, defamed due to lack of care and maintenance. Because the national emblem attached with the sentiments of national pride, taking care of the emblem is essential and need of an hour.

The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act-2005 describes the guidelines how and where the emblem can be used. This activist has collected all details regarding the emblem from union ministry of home affairs through RTI Act in order to alert the administration to act against improper use of the emblem.

There are three bridges in Chikkodi taluk over river and streams having statue of national emblem at every corner of the bridges. Bridge on river Doodhaganga on Belagavi-Narasimhwadi state highway between Bedakihal and Chandshiradwad villages is one such bridge built in 60s before the unification of Karnataka. Then it was state government of Mysore. Besides, there are two more medium sized bridges over Pandavnala between Galataga-Akkol on Nippani-Kottalagi state highway-72 having statues of state emblem of India. The public works department (PWD) has built all three bridges.

According to Burge, due to passing of decades to the instalment of statues of the national emblem over the bridges, colour of the emblem statues has been fainted, cracks are emerged in statues and distorted. Besides some statues have not according to the description and design of the emblem. "It's nothing but the insult of national emblem and violation of the Act. Hence, steps should be taken against stopping insult of national emblem any further and taking disciplinary action against concerned officials", Burge from Galataga in Chikkodi taluk said.

An RTI activist said like national flag, emblem also having its own sanctity. At least since now, government must take steps stopping insult of national emblem further. Burge said Act clearly said states can't install such statues of make use in other way without prior permission of central government.

Description and design of emblem:

The state emblem of India is an adaption from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka which is preserved in Sarnath Museum in Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital has four lions mounted back to back on a circular abacus. The frieze of abacus adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakra. The abacus rests on a bell-shaped lotus.

The profile of Lion Capital showing three lions mounted on the abacus with a Dharma Chakra in the center, a bull on the right and a galloping horse on the left, and outlines of Dharma Chakra on the extreme right and left has been adopted as the State Emblem of India. Bell shaped lotus has been omitted. The motto 'Satyameva Jayate', written in Devenagari script below the profile of Lion Capital is part the State Emblem of India.